By: Kathryn Fenstermacher

The enchantment of a good magic trick is the mystery of how it’s done. How did you do that? Show me again! You could say that it was a real life magic act when the Hartford City hobby shop Magic Corner sprang up in the middle of a global pandemic. Proprietors Meredith Jester and Boe Powell pulled back the curtain on how their shop got started and what sort of magic they are brewing there today.

The couple has enjoyed an array of hobbies for decades, from handcrafts to gaming to cosplay. When they settled in Hartford City several years ago, they thought that their creative pursuits would stay contained within their home. Then COVID hit, robbing Powell of regular work. With a stimulus check and some unemployment compensation, Jester and Powell decided to rent the property at 201 W Washington Street, opening a shop that combined their eclectic interests. “We had to rediscover what we could do,” Jester said. “We decided . . . let’s invest in the future of this community.”

They started small, on a shoestring budget – even using some of their own furniture to outfit the shop. But sure enough, through their dedication and the support of the community, the business grew and flourished. Magic Corner recently celebrated its one-year anniversary, and now hosts events nearly every night of the week, from Hot Wheels races to card game tournaments. “The ball started rolling and everything fell into place,” Jester said.

“This community has been wonderful,” Powell added.

If you’ve ever run into Powell around town and thought that Santa must have a doppelganger in Hartford City, you’re on the right track. Powell has been a professional Santa Claus for 15 years, playing the jolly old elf in Hollywood, Las Vegas, and NYC. “He even has the license to prove it,” Jester said.

When his holiday gigs dried up in the wake of the pandemic, Powell brought his holiday magic home to Hartford City. Not only has he become the official Santa for the town’s Christmas parade, but he and Jester have made Magic Corner a destination spot for a full-blown Christmas experience, “Santa’s Workshop.”

This Christmas season, visitors to the shop will be able to mail letters to Santa, enjoy a cookie in Mrs. Claus’ kitchen, watch Christmas cartoons, tour Santa’s workshop, sneak a peek at the nice and naughty list, and more. “That’s all for their waiting while they go up to see the big guy,” Powell said. “Families can come and . . . get a whole experience.”

The couple is hard at work throughout the year preparing this Christmas special. Powell is as handy as Santa’s elves, doing his own renovations and creating the backdrops, furniture, and props that complete the magical setting.

He also refurbishes toys to sell at prices that kids and families can easily afford. In everything they do, the couple’s goal is to provide a community-oriented space that is safe, comfortable, and accessible for visitors of all ages. Magic Corner has been designated a Safe Place Site, and their shop is used regularly by families to meet for counseling, by court order, or simply to play Pokemon together. “We feel like we’re giving something back to the community,” Jester said.

The Magic Corner storefront is a fascinating mix of toys, games, crafts, and collectibles. As you walk in, you’ll see a glass case filled with magic tricks and trading cards, giving off a vintage vibe. Across the aisle, stuffed animals are arranged in crates, an inviting rainbow of plush. Hot Wheels are stacked neatly in another booth, followed by assorted board games, craft supplies, and trendy anime merch. Christmas decorations are out year-round since, in the words of Jester, “we’re Christmas people.”

The shop is truly an extension of the couple’s hobbies. Both Jester and Powell delight in sharing their favorite activities with the community. Powell said that they felt the need to be versatile to serve the various interests of the locals. “We’ve tried to kind of have a unique niche of products and things for people to do,” Jester said. “Our goal is to be something unique that they can’t find elsewhere.”

One fun feature is their board game library. A large bookshelf in the gaming area is packed with over 185 board games – enough to rival any bourgeois game cafe. Visitors can come to the shop during regular business hours and select any game, settle in around an open table, and play as long as they like. Not only is this pastime free, it also brings people together to share a good time. “The goal here is to be social,” Powell said.

Clearly, it’s working. Some couples spend date nights playing games at Magic Corner. Other times, whole families come in together with pizza or takeout. A car full of teenage friends rolls in regularly for a night of card playing. 

And once in a while, someone comes in as a loner and leaves with a new set of friends. “We have this one gentleman who comes in, and he’s . . . very quiet, “Powell said. “I finally convinced him to come in and play on a Friday night. You could tell he didn’t know anybody. . . . And now, he knows everybody, and when he walks in, everybody says hi to him.”

For Jester and Powell, that is the true magic. “It’s been a dream to be able to do something like this,” Jester said. “We love it when we have all of these tables full of people playing and having fun.”

Magic Corner is located at 201 W Washington St, Hartford City, IN, 47348. Their regular business hours are 12 – 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. You can find their weekly event schedule and more on their Facebook page.